It was third down and goal, the Gardner Edgerton Trailblazers just a couple of yards from the Aquinas endzone, with STA nursing a 17-6 lead. Handoff. The Saints stuffed it.

It was fourth down and goal, even closer to the Aquinas endzone. Handoff. Tackle. Bring out the chains. Short by inches. Goal Line stand.

That stand by the Saints' defense was arguably the biggest set of plays in school history. Sure, the Saints were up 17-6, but they had not scored since going up 17-0 in the second quarter, and now the game was in the early stages of the fourth. A touchdown would have given Gardner all the momentum, with plenty of time left.

But the Saints stood strong and now find themselves in the state title game Nov. 29th in Emporia.

Quarterback Ricky Nachbar played his best game of the year, by far, in my opinion. He got the scoring started on a 1 yard keeper after an incredible third down halfback pass the previous play from Beau Bourquin to his twin brother Zach. Nachbar also connected with Zach for an 18 yard touchdown in the second quarter.

When Nachbar suffered a knee injury in the second quarter, Beau (a former quarterback who is now a starting LB) filled in admirably. Although he did not direct any scoring drives, he kept the offense moving with some superb passes, including a fantastic hookup with a diving Ryan Nelson for a first down late in the fourth quarter. 

Most people know by now that the Saints were 0-7 before last night in state semifinal games under head coach Kevin Kopecky, and the Aquinas community was overflowing with jubilation as the victory was wrapped up. Kopecky was given the celebratory water cooler shower, and the student section swarmed the field to celebrate and congratulate the players.

A few of the seniors have been on varsity since their freshman year, and they have seen their past three seasons end with a heartbreaking semifinal loss. They now are on the other side of that, getting to celebrate a semifinal victory.